A Second Chance For More. Chapter 2
Chapter 2 of my McHanzo slow burn. Its a long Chapter. Enjoy!
Due to Hanzo’s jet lag and Genji not entirely needing to sleep, they talked and remained in the mess hall well until morning. From the lack of clock in the large room, the cause of them figuring out it was morning was by heavy footsteps echoing through the area. Hanzo visibly tensed up before Genji reassured him that things are fine. They looked towards the entrance to see two figures coming down the corridor. One, a familiar face he'd seen only moments before ina picture, though she wasn't wearing her doctors uniform it seemed. Instead, her blonde hair was in a tangled ponytail, and she wore warm looking pajamas. The other though, was completely new to Hanzo. A shorter and much more stout woman, black hair in a bun, and it seems she’s been up for a bit. She wore a comfy looking cardigan, with clean clothes underneath that she seemed to do her work in. Both perked up a bit once they saw their new guest.
“Good Morning Angela. Doctor Zhou,” Genji greeted. He waved his hand, his other around his recently filled mug that still steamed. Hanzo took this as a que and waved at the approaching pair as well. They seemed a bit taken back, but the shorter waved at them before she walked over.
“Good Morning, Genji!” She said cheerfully. She didn’t seem to negatively address or look at Hanzo, which may be a blessing. She sat down next to younger shimada and look directly at the other, holder out her hand in greeting. “Doctor, this is my brother, Hanzo. He’s been...recruited,” Genji said with a small smile, almost not believing it himself.
Hanzo took her hand firmly and shook it, his tattoo slightly visible under his jacket sleeve. After a moment, she spoke to fully introduce herself. Meanwhile, out of the corner of his eye, Hanzo saw the blonde walk into the kitchen area and look suspiciously at the pot of warm tea on the counter. She glanced at him before grabbing a mug.
“Doctor Mei-ling Zhou, Climatological researcher for the former Ecopoint Project. It's nice to meet someone else who’s new here,” she says with a sigh of relief to her voice. She takes her hands and folds them on the table. She seemed utterly sweet, more than that cake that Genji and Hanzo had been picking apart for the better part of a few hours. It was calming.
“It's nice to meet you, Ms. Zhou,” he greeted as his hand went back to his own mug. Plain and white, unlike Genji's bright green one with an image of an old TV show. Hanzo barely remembered it, only thinking of it in the moment he saw the cup. Mei seemed to hold up her hand, playfully scalding the pair of boys.
“Now, enough with the ‘Ms’ or ‘Doctor’. You can call me Mei,” She stated, swatting genji with her finger, seemingly letting Hanzo off the hood. Genji giggled a bit before he took a sip from his cup, and the woman perked up a bit. “That smells really good. Is it tea?” She inquired.
Genji was about to answer before his brother spoke for himself. “It Is. Mixture of Green and herbal. A bit of honey to mix.” He finished before sipping a bit from his cup. “Would you like to try some?” Hanzo asked. Before she could even answer, she got up from her seat to go retrieve a mug. It seemed she indeed, wanted to try.
As their gaze was pulled to the kitchen, the blonde leaned against the counter, sipping from a mug that read ‘Self Medicating’ with a red cross above the words. She let out a small cough, as if to warm her voice.
“It’s Rude to not introduce your brother to your Doctor, Genji,” She said in a thick swiss accent. She seemed less welcoming than the other, giving Hanzo cold glances once in a while. It would be much more work to get on her side, he knew that as fact.
“Right, Sorry. Anija, this is Angela Ziegler, Overwatch’s premier Doctor and Field medic. She’s the one that...Saved me,” Genji said lightly, trying to avoid the subject that hung over all their heads like a smog. She was hesitant, but from how Genji looked at her, she held out her hand towards the other. “Welcome, Mr. Shimada,” she formally greeted. Hanzo shook her hand, but not for long. “Doctor Ziegler. Pleasure meeting you. Genji’s has sung your praises,” he said, knowing that it would embarrass his brother a bit. And from the way he rubbed the back of his head, it seemed to work. That did get a smile from her at least. The four sat, talking and enjoying the silence as the rest of the base seem to come to life. And by mid morning, Hanzo thought he’d seen it all.
A tall and quite frankly, loud German Man who may have broken a finger when he shook his hand, a strong egyptian woman whom seem to treat Genji like a little brother from the way she ruffled his dark green hair roughly, an older gentlemen who didn't seem to interested in anything but interrogating Hanzo where they sat, before completely leaving all together, Lena came in and gave him the same smile she gave him when she picked him up, and lastly and most shockingly, a gorilla who seemed more intelligent than Hanzo would ever hope to be. Genji introduced Hanzo to all of them, and their reactions were mixed. Fareeha threatening Hanzo with his life if he even thinks of doing something out of line, Reinhardt giving him the hardest pat on the back he’s ever received and greeting him with a second chance and open arms, Lena repeating her words from last night, Winston just welcomed him to the family and team. The atmosphere in the hall was mostly welcoming, but still mixed.
Within an hour, everyone was off to either train for the morning or do their respective jobs or chores. Lena rushed off to the hanger so she could pick up a few more recruits that responded late, Mei complimented Hanzo’s taste in tea before she walked off towards a lab with Winston close behind her, and everyone scattered, except for Genji.
“C’mon. I think we have a clean dorm around here. You can drop your things and i can show you around. After you shower, of course,” He said, pointing at Hanzo’s clothes. That was something he couldn't deny. The remainder of the cake was put in the fridge, behind all the other food in an attempt to hide it, and their cups where cleaned and put away before the pair wondered down a hall lined with doors. Each held a name plate and number, corresponding to agents, some of which weren’t even here yet. They passed one that held Genji’s name before they walked a few doors down to an empty label. Genji pressed a simple code into the keypad, a simple 1234 code since it wasn't in use, and the metal door slid open. The younger Shimada walked in before his sibling followed.
It was a medium sized room. A bed in the corner with clean sheets, a desk with a computer and chair, a small closet for the agent to hang their clothes, and a small but nice private bathroom. As Hanzo looked around, her put his case on the floor and his luggage on the bed. His brother leaned in the doorway, his arms crossed as he also examined the room. “A little dull, but in no time we can Hanzo it up,” he said, causing both to chuckle a bit. Hanzo shrugged off the jacket and it found its home on the chair near the desk. Hanzo got a whiff of himself as he did so, and he did in fact, need that shower.
Genji sarcastically waved his hand in front of his face, pretending to wince at the smell of Hanzo. In turn, Hanzo picked up the dirty and worn jacket and threw it at his little brother, causing him to recoil in forced disgusted horror. The older rolled his eyes and the jacket was thrown on top of the bed and joined the rest of Hanzo’s things. “Towels and Toiletries are already in the bathroom. Nothing incredibly fancy, but at least you won’t smell like sweat and scowling.”
“And what does Scowling smell like, exactly?” Hanzo asked somewhat confused. “Smells like you and a mixture of gym clothes that haven't been washed in a month,” He retorted before Hanzo pushed the younger out of the doorway a bit. “I’ll meet you in the mess hall when you're done. I still have to give you the tour of the place,” Genji said, fixing his hoodie. He also decided a shower, or at least new clothes are needed. Hanzo nodded and waved Genji off before he closed the door to his room. He was alone with his thoughts and a room that he could call his own.
First thing he decided to do, was fish out his clothes and hang them in the closet. A nice suit, some everyday clothes, a few battle ready clothes, and two extra hair ribbons were placed inside. He laid a clean tank top, and some jeans out on his bed before he got to the second matter of business. Showering. He walked into the bathroom and caught his face in the mirror. He looked different, a bit scruffier then he remembered looking. Thankfully, shaving supplies was on the counter. He decided on doing this after he showered. Hanzo fiddled with the knobs to get a nice warm temperature set, before he let steam fill the room. He stripped down, tossing his clothes into a corner to be clean later before he hopped into the steamy stream. He adjusted to the heat quickly and smiled. A bathroom that he can call his, one that would always be here and be the same as he left it. A welcome change. Hanzo couldn’t even remember how long he’d been standing in the constant warm stream until he started actually washing himself. Genji was right. Nothing fancy, but enough to remove the gross grime he felt covering his body. He finished tending to himself before he turned the water off and started to dry himself.
He wrapped the towel, that was surprisingly soft, around his waist before he addressed his scruffy beard. He stared himself down in the mirror before he decided shaving may be favorable. He picked up some shaving cream and smeared it about the sides of his chin, wanting to keep his goatee. He ran the razor delicately over his skin and in a few short moments he was back to a more familiar self. He ran his hand over his now smooth skin before he toweled off the rest of the way. He walked out of the bathroom and into the significantly colder room. The towel joined the small pile of clothes in the bathroom, and Hanzo quickly put on some clothes.
He glanced at Stormbow one more time, before he turned off the light and left his room. He tried to remember which way he came from before he decided on a direction and he walked, praying it was right. Thankfully, it was. Genji was on his phone, sitting on a table before he looked up and saw his brother. He smiled and stood up. Genji had changed too, but only to a different pair of sweats. His hoodie had been abandoned, it was late July after all. It brought up another question in Hanzo’s head, wondering if Genji even felt heat or cold. But it was a short thought, since Genji was walking over to him quite quickly.
“Well, since you’re here, id imagine it might be the perfect time to give you the grand tour,” He said, his hands moving in an exaggerated arc. Hanzo just rolled his eyes as Genji motioned towards an open door, and they walked through. Genji showed his brother just about every part of the base. They ran into Angela at the med bay, before they passed the empty training area that only had training bots in it. They went everywhere, and Genji had something to say about almost everything. The entire morning was taken up by this before they finally sat near the cliffs just above the ocean, letting the cool sea breeze keep them from completely melting in the summer heat. It also helped that they sat in the shade of a large relay tower.
“I thought there would be more...Agents around here,” Hanzo states. He looked around as if to make an example of it, but it didn’t quite work since they were alone. Though Genji did understand what he meant. “Yeah, It is kinda weird. Years ago, you couldn’t be alone unless you locked yourself in your dorm. Even then, someone usually came by. And now...Its quiet. I don't know if its better or worse,” he said, his eyes looking towards the base. “But im glad that my family will be here. All of my family.” Hanzo and Genji just smiled at each other, more words not needing to be said. Family, a thing Hanzo wouldn't imagine he’d be apart of again, or even want to be. But Genji’s words and most of the base’s cooperation may make this easier than he expected.
The only sound for miles was the sound of the water hitting the side of the cliffs and the their voices filling the air. It was peaceful, something Hanzo needed. But the peace was broken when the pair saw Lena’s ship start flying into the hanger. Genji immediately perked up and stood.
“Come On. Looks like the base is gonna get a more busy,” Genji said, offering a hand to help his brother to his feet. Hanzo took it and was almost instantly being pulled away the moment he was vertical. They weaved through the halls and rooms before they basically busted through the doors into the hanger just to see it land. Hanzo was breathing a bit deeper but mostly from spontaneously sprinting all the way across the base. Speaking of which, now that the sun was up and there was more light, he saw that there were many more Aircrafts that were in the hanger, but they all seemed to be out of commission. Being left to get covered in dust and cobwebs. Not much need for all the ships if there were only a handful of agents. As he looked around he noticed the green that had been at his side all morning was apparently running even faster than a few minutes ago towards the opening doors.
Hanzo stayed behind a bit and watched the few people that walked out of the craft. A Girl wearing an obnoxiously pink shirt with a white bunny on it who also seemed to be talking with a shorter male with long dreads and headphones hanging around his neck. Hanzo swore he could faintly hear music even from yards away. A much shorter blonde man who seemed to have a hook for a hand was followed by a taller and more built girl, and they appeared to be speaking in a similar tone. But lastly, he noticed a figure wearing a tattered old Cape (It was his best guess) and a fitting cowboy hat. And then he saw said figure getting put into a choke hold by his brother while roaring laughter filled the air.
“I Can NOT believe you still have that dumb hat after all these years, Jesse,” Genji said, frantically giving the taller male a rough noogie. Hanzo walked only a bit further but stopped and leaned against some cargo to watch with his arms crossed. The others walked past him, the younger pair sticking around to watch the reunion.
“Now you know better than anyone that my hat ain't never leaving my head!” Replied the other male. His voice was warm and gruff, laughter lacing his words about as much as his hideously thick country accent. The pair shared a few words before Genji frantically started waving Hanzo over. He took a deep breath and carefully approached the pair. Genji quickly put his hand on his older brothers shoulder, the stranger standing straight up again.
“Jesse, This...Is my Brother,” he introduced. He spoke slow, like he was nervous about what words he should pick. Hanzo bowed politely before he was greeted with a stone cold look in the others face.
“So You’re THE Hanzo Shimada…” Jesse said, looking at him from under the brim of his hat. “Genji’s spoke a lot about ya,” He added. Hanzo looked towards his brother who gave him a cautious smile before he returned his gaze towards Genji’s friend. “I Am,” Hanzo confirmed. The other just simply fixed his hat before speaking again.
“Well, Hanzo...Glad i can finally meet ya,” Jesse said, the tone of his words not changing. Genji was starting to smile, but then out of nowhere, a hard and cold metal object struck Hanzo square in his face, leaving him on the ground and covering his warm and possibly bleeding mouth. A very distant “Oh SHIT!” could be heard, presumably coming from the small girl that was on her phone.
“Been wantin’ to do that for quite awhile,” Jesse stated before making another move. But before he could Genji was holding him in a death grip so he couldn’t take another hit. A gentle pair of hands grabbed Hanzo's arm, and he was lifted and taken a few steps back. He looked over to the short male with dreads who was helping him get up before he looked at palm, blood indeed forming a small stain on his skin.
Genji told the stranger to take Hanzo to the med bay, while Jesse was shouting some hateful curses and words towards him as he left. While the shouts and attempts at democracy where getting further and further in the distance, Hanzo came to a conclusion while he felt blood drip from his lip and nose.
Redemption may be made more difficult when Jesse McCree was in the picture.
